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Brady HendersonESPN
SEATTLE – In a surprise move, the Seattle Seahawks and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer separated after three seasons.
The Seahawks announced the decision Tuesday, citing “philosophical differences” as the reason for the farewell, while Schottenheimer is a “fantastic person and coach.”
The Seahawks scored the most points in franchise history last season, but their offense dropped sharply in the second half. Seattle led the league in the first nine weeks with 34 points per game, but the average dropped to 22.6 points per game during the last eight weeks of the regular season.
The Seahawks’ offensive streak continued into a 30-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC wildcard playoff game three days ago. Quarterback Russell Wilson’s 40.7% full-time at 11 to 27 distances tied for the second-lowest in his career, while his 17.6 total QBR was the weakest in 16 playoff games in his career, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
The Seahawks’ deep play was one of the reasons for the decline in offense in the second half. Wilson has completed at least one pass of 30 flights in each of Seattle’s first eight games of the season; he has had three such completions in the last nine games of the season, including playoffs.
“Schotty … I’m grateful for how much you’ve meant to me over the last three years,” Wilson tweeted. “God has blessed me with you, we have won many matches, had many falls and had an explosion in meetings and our Bible studies. The best days are ahead of you. Go be wonderful. God first. Love. 3.”
Coach Pete Carroll did not want to discuss the future of his coordinators when he ended his news conference for the season or he would expect them to return.
Schottenheimer’s offense set a number of Seahawks records, but after a meeting last night it was clear that there were philosophical differences between Schottenheimer and Carroll, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter. They decided a farewell was in the best interests of both parties.